Page 55 of Seven Oars
It was the first real rest Rosamma had had since their capture. It mildly shocked her that she had been able to sleep so long and deeply with the pirates only a short distance away.
But she had slept. And now she could think much more clearly.
Her spirits were up, even as weakness began to creep in with her dwindling energy. Without a calendar, she sensed she still had time. A few weeks, at least. Maybe a month, if she was careful with rest and nutrition.
Anske was already munching on something, and Fawn was talking to Sassa about breakfast. It was calming and disconcerting at the same time, observing such a mundane scene: the women sitting on blankets, eating, talking. Alyesha was brushing her hair. Eze tinkered with the water tank filter, trying to get it running.
The sudden gurgle was followed by Eze’s satisfied exclamation. The filtration system came alive, shuddering and shaking the tank. A strong smell of rotten eggs spread through the room.
“Gross!”
“Eww!”
“What did you expect, a clear mountain spring?” Eze spread her arms.
“No, but I guess we didn’t expect raw sewage either,” Fawn said, disappointed.
“Well, this water is recycled. You know what it means?”
Fawn wrinkled her nose.“I hope you don’t expect us to drink it,‘cause our insides are gonna rot.”
“We still have potable water. But when that’s gone…” Eze patted the water tank.“This baby is it.”
“We will make every conceivable effort to get the hell out of here before the potable water runs out,” Alyesha said with feeling.
The robot rolled up and paused at the door. The pirates probably knew by now that the filtration system in the Cargo Hold was operational.
After several filtration cycles, the water stopped smelling so awful. Fawn volunteered to be the first to take a shower.
“If I come out smelling like shit, I’ll bed down next to you in punishment, Eze,” Fawn said, laughing.
They bantered a little, small, silly stuff that made Anske laugh.
Phex got up and moved around, testing his strength and finding it lacking. Yet he showed no frustration at the limits imposed by his many injuries. He displayed no worry or fear, leaving Rosamma in awe of his fortitude.
“You’re doing so much better! I hope the pirates are done with their stupid challenges,” she said, trying to encourage him.
“Your hope is naive,” he replied flatly.“They keep me alive for one reason, and that is to beat me again.”
It was depressing.
There were degrees of being powerless, Rosamma thought. She’d been powerless before, unwell, conspicuous in appearance, confined to her apartment. In her darker moments, she had thought herself a prisoner.
She knew better now.
Back then, she had been loved, cared for, and protected.
Now, her helplessness was multiplied tenfold by cruelty and torment. No one cared what happened to her. Not even Phex, if she were completely honest with herself, which she chose not to be. It was easier to have an illusion.
So she clung to several. Chief among them was the hope that one day they would escape. She had to believe it. If she didn’t, the despair would kill her before her energy ran out.
Noticing her preoccupation, Phex stopped beside her.
“I know you’re frightened,” he said.
Her shoulders rose and fell.“Of course I am.”
“Don’t be,” he said, completely serious.“Fear takes away your will.”
